Georgia Southern uses ground game to beat Elon

STATESBORO, Ga. — Ezayi Youyoute ran for 106 yards and added 66 through the air as Georgia Southern rallied to beat Elon 26-23 on Saturday night.

There were four lead changes before Elon (2-2, 0-1 Southern Conference) jumped ahead 20-16 late in the third quarter. Dominique Swope’s 2-yard touchdown put Georgia Southern back on top but the Phoenix managed to tie the game 23-all behind a 33-yard field goal from Adam Shreiner.

Georgia Southern’s defense stiffened, however, holding Elon to just one first down in the fourth quarter.

The Eagles (2-1, 1-1) took the lead for good on Alex Hanks’ 32-yard field goal with 3 minutes, 40 seconds left to play.

Elon had the chance to rally, but Darius Eubanks intercepted Thomas Wilson’s pass to put the game away.

The Eagles’ option offense, which amassed 342 rushing yards, has rushed for 300 or more yards in six of its last seven games.

RICHMOND 35, GEORGIA STATE 14

In Atlanta, Richmond bolted to a big halftime lead and rolled to a victory against Georgia State.

Spiders quarterback John Laub led Richmond (3-1, 1-0 Colonial Athletic Association) with 223 yards and one touchdown on 16-of-25 passing and rushed for 73 yards and three TDs.

Richmond’s Stephen Barnette caught three passes for 87 yards, including a 49-yard touchdown.

Georgia State (0-4) matched the Spiders in yards gained – Richmond led only 398-390 – but the Panthers were 5-for-13 on third-down conversions, and they managed only one first down on four fourth down conversion attempts.

Donald Russell rushed for 126 yards and a touchdown for Georgia State.